Puffin Browser is a web browser for iOS (Apple iPad, iPhone, iTouch) devices and for Android devices (tablets and smartphones). It uses a cloud based server as an intermediary between the device and the web to increase browser speeds and to allow Flash videos and games on these devices. Since Flash is not supported on iOS devices, this allows full web content to be shown on these devices without having to access a computer. Puffin also contains a trackpad emulator to allow users to point and click and drag and drop, and a game controller emulator for games. Currently, Puffin is available in the iTunes store for a 30 day trial at no charge, and the full version is available is $2.99. Puffin can be used in an educational context to develop digital literacy skills by improving web search competencies and to research relevant content in various forms of media to support learning.
Benefits of Tool or App
Flash support.
Quick page load times due to compression of data and pre-processing in the cloud-based server.
Ability to display mobile website or desktop website on a mobile device.
Full screen video.
Ability to mouseover and drag and drop with trackpad emulator.
Bookmark import--keep your bookmarks from other browsers.
When wanting to go to a bookmarked site, a visual bookmark and top site page will appear.
Privacy--traffic to and from the server is encrypted, and browser sessions are not stored on the server.
Constraints of Tool or App
Beacuse Puffin connects to a cloud server for browsing, server disruption can affect the functionality of the app.
Firewalls may block access to Puffin's servers.
No ability to use content-filtering services such as content blockers, so any site may be accessed.
Puffin has a cost, unlike the native browsers provided with the phone.
How To Use Tool or App
Basic Navigation
1. Open Puffin browser on your device.
2. Type a url into the navigation bar that you want to access.
3. Tap enter/return and go to site.
4. To search, go to the right of the navigation bar, type search terms into the box at the right and hit return/enter.
5. Scroll by moving your finger up and down while touching the screen. Selecting text
1. Hold down your finger on the text you want to select.
2. Two arrows will pop up.
3. Move the arrows to encompass the text you want.
4. Tap copy. Selecting Images
1. Hold down your finger on the image you want to select.
2. Tap save image.
3. The image will be in your pictures folder on your device. How to drag and drop
1. Hold your finger down on the item to be dragged and dropped.
2. A highlight will appear.
3. Drag the item to desired location. Right Click
1. Open the trackpad by clicking on the mouse icon at the left hand corner of the screen.
2. Tap two fingers down together on the trackpad. Access the game controller or keyboard
1. Tap the game controller or keyboard icon in the lower right corner of the screen. Manage Browser Settings, Bookmarks, Mail Links, Set homepage
1. In the navigation bar, there is a 3 lined square.
2. Tap the 3 lined square.
3. Tap the choice you want.
Possible settings for the browser include a preferred opening tab when you are browsing using tabs, restoring tabs, blocking pop-ups, flash support (auto, on-demand, or never), user agent (set the browser to mobile or desktop version), visual effects for touch (shows you that it has registered a click), ignoring the mute switch on the side, and the ability to zoom using double tap.
The clear history, cache, and cookies button is also located in settings.
Description of Tool or App
Puffin Browser is a web browser for iOS (Apple iPad, iPhone, iTouch) devices and for Android devices (tablets and smartphones). It uses a cloud based server as an intermediary between the device and the web to increase browser speeds and to allow Flash videos and games on these devices. Since Flash is not supported on iOS devices, this allows full web content to be shown on these devices without having to access a computer. Puffin also contains a trackpad emulator to allow users to point and click and drag and drop, and a game controller emulator for games. Currently, Puffin is available in the iTunes store for a 30 day trial at no charge, and the full version is available is $2.99. Puffin can be used in an educational context to develop digital literacy skills by improving web search competencies and to research relevant content in various forms of media to support learning.Benefits of Tool or App
Constraints of Tool or App
How To Use Tool or App
Basic Navigation1. Open Puffin browser on your device.
2. Type a url into the navigation bar that you want to access.
3. Tap enter/return and go to site.
4. To search, go to the right of the navigation bar, type search terms into the box at the right and hit return/enter.
5. Scroll by moving your finger up and down while touching the screen.
Selecting text
1. Hold down your finger on the text you want to select.
2. Two arrows will pop up.
3. Move the arrows to encompass the text you want.
4. Tap copy.
Selecting Images
1. Hold down your finger on the image you want to select.
2. Tap save image.
3. The image will be in your pictures folder on your device.
How to drag and drop
1. Hold your finger down on the item to be dragged and dropped.
2. A highlight will appear.
3. Drag the item to desired location.
Right Click
1. Open the trackpad by clicking on the mouse icon at the left hand corner of the screen.
2. Tap two fingers down together on the trackpad.
Access the game controller or keyboard
1. Tap the game controller or keyboard icon in the lower right corner of the screen.
Manage Browser Settings, Bookmarks, Mail Links, Set homepage
1. In the navigation bar, there is a 3 lined square.
2. Tap the 3 lined square.
3. Tap the choice you want.
Possible settings for the browser include a preferred opening tab when you are browsing using tabs, restoring tabs, blocking pop-ups, flash support (auto, on-demand, or never), user agent (set the browser to mobile or desktop version), visual effects for touch (shows you that it has registered a click), ignoring the mute switch on the side, and the ability to zoom using double tap.
The clear history, cache, and cookies button is also located in settings.
Access tutorials at: Puffin Help
Original Artifact of Tool or App (created by someone in your house)
View the video below to see a brief demo of Puffin. This video created with Screencast-O-Matic and the Reflector app.IDEAS for Tool or App
Student
Teacher
Business Institutions